Current Affairs - July 31, 2025 Current Affairs

International Friendship Day is officially observed by the United Nations on July 30 every year. The day emphasises the importance of friendship in promoting peace, harmony, and solidarity among individuals, communities, and nations. Established by the UN General Assembly in 2011, the observance seeks to inspire initiatives that foster mutual understanding and respect globally. While many countries, including India, celebrate Friendship Day on the first Sunday of August (which falls on August 3 in 2025), the internationally recognised date remains July 30. This observance encourages people to acknowledge and cherish the positive impact friendships have in both personal lives and international relations.

Kaziranga Tiger Reserve in Assam has achieved the third-highest tiger density in the world, with 18.65 tigers per 100 sq. km. This impressive milestone was announced on Global Tiger Day 2025 and reflects the success of conservation efforts in the region. The only reserves with higher tiger densities are Bandipur in Karnataka and Corbett in Uttarakhand. The rise in tiger numbers, from 80 in 1997 to 148 in 2024, is largely attributed to habitat expansion, anti-poaching measures, and better survey techniques like camera traps and stripe pattern identification. This ranking cements Assam’s position as a leader in global tiger conservation.

Uttarakhand has announced the induction of Agniveer soldiers into its upcoming Tiger Protection Force at the Corbett Tiger Reserve. The declaration, made by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on International Tiger Day, highlights a unique collaboration between environmental conservation and national defence personnel. This move aims to leverage the discipline and training of Agniveers to enhance protection for wildlife, especially tigers, in the state. More than 80 youth will be recruited for this force to help guard against poaching, habitat destruction, and other wildlife crimes. The initiative positions Uttarakhand as a leader in integrating military-trained youth into conservation efforts.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a key agreement with India on Maritime Security and Safety Cooperation during the 13th Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting held in New Delhi. The agreement was signed between the Indian Coast Guard and the UAE National Guard Command with a focus on enhancing maritime law enforcement, search and rescue operations, pollution response, and capacity building. This partnership underscores the shared strategic interest of both countries in maintaining maritime stability, especially in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. It also strengthens India’s expanding network of maritime partnerships to tackle global threats like piracy, smuggling, and marine pollution.

NISAR stands for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, a joint Earth observation mission between the American space agency NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This satellite is designed to use advanced synthetic aperture radar technology operating in dual bands—L-band and S-band—to study Earth's surface changes with high precision. It will monitor natural hazards, deformation, and environmental shifts like glacier movements and forest biomass changes. The collaboration exemplifies the growing partnership between India and the U.S. in space science and technology, and marks their first joint satellite development and launch.

India recently sent 5 Metric Tonnes of essential medicines to Syria as part of its continued humanitarian assistance. The aid included life-saving drugs such as anti-cancer medications, antibiotics, and anti-hypertensive medicines. This effort reflects India’s long-standing commitment to global humanitarian causes and its support for countries facing prolonged crises. Syria, which has endured years of conflict and healthcare infrastructure collapse, is in urgent need of medical support. India's assistance is aimed at alleviating the suffering of the Syrian people and ensuring access to critical healthcare services. It also reaffirms India’s role as a responsible and compassionate global partner.

The Klyuchevskoy volcano erupted in Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula shortly after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the region’s Pacific coast on July 30, 2025. Klyuchevskoy, the tallest active volcano in both Europe and Asia, is located in one of the world’s most seismically active zones—part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. The eruption followed a dramatic seismic event that triggered tsunami warnings as far as Japan, although no major damage or casualties were reported. The event underscores Kamchatka’s geological volatility, with over 300 volcanoes and frequent seismic activity shaping its rugged and remote landscape.

Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh has been selected as the location for India’s first Hindi-medium MBBS college, marking a significant step towards language-inclusive medical education. This institution will begin functioning in the 2027–28 academic year, initially offering 50 MBBS seats. The medical curriculum, including instruction, examinations, and clinical practice, will be conducted entirely in Hindi. This aligns with Madhya Pradesh’s broader initiative to increase accessibility in higher education by offering regional language alternatives, especially in technical fields like medicine. Clinical training will take place at the hospital affiliated with the existing government medical college in Jabalpur, reinforcing the city’s central role in this groundbreaking development.

The Lok Sabha approved the extension of President’s Rule in Manipur beyond August 13, 2025, for another six months, pushing central control over the state until February 2026. This decision was made to uphold peace and stability in Manipur, which has been affected by ethnic tensions and disturbances. The statutory resolution was passed with the assurance from the Ministry of Home Affairs that law and order have improved significantly, with minimal fatalities since the rule was imposed. As per the Indian Constitution, President’s Rule can only be extended with Parliamentary approval every six months, making the Lok Sabha’s role crucial in this governance measure.

Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods exported to the United States, effective from August 1, 2025. This move marks a significant escalation in trade tensions between the two countries. Trump justified the decision by citing India's high tariff barriers and ongoing military and energy ties with Russia during the Ukraine conflict. Alongside the tariff, a penalty was also announced for India's continued imports of Russian oil and weapons. The tariff decision followed a temporary 90-day suspension period and reflects growing geopolitical friction as well as trade-related disagreements between India and the US, potentially affecting key export sectors.